What happens when local people decide what art is commissioned in the places where they live? With our latest set of artist commissions – Artist Ideas to Disrupt Loneliness – that’s exactly what happened.
A shift towards citizen-led decision-making: artists holding space, disagreement and power
We’re interested in how more people can feel powerful where they live.” Susie Thornberry, Artistic Director, Metal
For our recent artist commissions in Liverpool, Peterborough and Southend, we trialled a new approach. Instead of Metal making all the decisions, we invited residents into the process – not as audiences, but as decision-makers. Through citizen-led creative action panels, people selected what they wanted to see in their area; led by need, interest and genuine curiosity; and off the back of Luca Rutherford’s As We Gather, where residents set out what mattered to them.
We’re at the beginning of this work, and are happy to be part of Citizens in Power, learning from fellow travellers like New Art Exchange, The West of England Combined Authority, and Birmingham Museums.
What’s different about citizen-led decision-making at Metal? We champion the role of artists and we’re mindful that there is often a power imbalance with freelance artists working on commissions. Our assembly was therefore led by an artist, thinking about making a beautiful democratic process, and we’re developing the next round to minimise the work required to ‘pitch.’
We’re thinking deeply about having artists as part of the citizen-led panels…[and] holding those spaces.” Susie Thornberry, Artistic Director, Metal
What else is different? We’re lucky to work in three different cities, creating spaces for deliberation and bringing what we’ve learned together to inform our other programmes and to share differences and similarities.
To bring people together with different life experiences and see disagreement, to see friction, as well as commonality, and to see a group move through that…in the context of the three cities we work in.” Susie Thornberry, Artistic Director, Metal
We’re excited to see what a more collaborative, community-led landscape could look like.
Hear more from the team
In our latest video, Susie – our Director, Jack – our National Producer, and Molly – our Head of Programmes & Partnerships share more about our approach to citizen-led decision-making — what it means in practice, what we’ve learned so far, and why it matters. And yes, there are a few bloopers at the end, so make sure you watch all the way through.
Get involved
If you’re curious about future opportunities to take part, collaborate, or help shape upcoming work, we’d love to hear from you. Keep an eye on our website and social channels for updates — this is just the beginning.
